What is "black horehound"

Horehound \Hore"hound`\, n. [OE. horehune, AS. h[=a]rhune; h[=a]r hoar, gray + hune horehound; cf. L. cunila a species of organum, Gr. ?, Skr. kn?y to smell.] (Bot.)

1. A plant of the genus Marrubium ( Marrubium vulgare), which has a bitter taste, and is a weak tonic, used as a household remedy for colds, coughing, etc. [Written also hoarhound.]

2. A lozenge or tablet, usually sweetened, containing extract of horehound, used as a remedy for a cough or a sore throat.

   Fetid horehound, or Black horehound, a disagreeable plant resembling horehound ( Ballota nigra).

   Water horehound, a species of the genus Lycopus, resembling mint, but not aromatic.

n. The plant (taxlink Ballota nigra species noshow=1) possessing a disagreeable odor. Traditionally used as a medicinal herb as an antispasmodic, stimulant and vermifuge.

n. ill-smelling European herb with rugose leaves and whorls of dark purple flowers [syn: black archangel, fetid horehound, stinking horehound, Ballota nigra]